Re: Military in or out?

From: arona1 (arona1@em8s.com)
Date: Sat Feb 24 2001 - 23:07:37 MST


Hi Ben, you seem to know a lot more on this than myself =)
I'm going to let more knowledgeable users discuss it with you.

Regards,
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ben Goertzel" <ben@webmind.com>
To: <sl4@sysopmind.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2001 9:53 PM
Subject: RE: Military in or out?

>
> > > > I recently corresponded with a military analyst about the artificial
> > > > intelligence and SI. But it made me wonder, what are people's
> > view here
> > > > about the desirability of maximizing or minimizing awareness
> > in the U.S.
> > > > military establishment about the implications of
> > > superintelligence? My own
> > > > inclination (which I'm not 100% confident in) is that they
> > ought to know
> > > > about it; and the same goes for nanotechnology.
>
>
> To answer your question more directly: These guys are definitely VERY
aware
> of
> the implications of these advanced technologies, but they don't consider
> them to be
> quite near-term enough to merit their own focused attention, yet. They
have
> a lot
> of near-term problems to solve and as soon as they judge that
nanotechnology
> or superintelligence
> is within, say, 3-5 years of helping them solve their problems, ~then~
> they'll jump on the
> appropriate bandwagon. Meanwhile, they'll just watch and wait...
>
> Unless someone starts spreading a rumor that the KGB is pursing
> nanotechnology research ;>
>
> Of course, I don't make these statements with absolute confidence; these
are
> just my impressions
> based on talking to some researchers from the intelligence community....
> Perhaps others in some deeper
> layer of some secret bureau are working on grand projects, unbeknownst to
> the researchers I met.... I'd
> guess not, but...
>
> Anyway, these guys are definitely making a lot of advanced
> cyber-surveillance technology.
> Think "Back Orifice, government style...".
>
> (BTW, did you know they also have a hand-held scanner that they
> can aim at you and thus see through your clothes? The images don't look
> terribly sexy, but they show if you're
> carrying hidden weapons, etc. When the cost comes down, these will
replace
> metal detectors in airports.)
>
>
> ben
>
>



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